In the Internet’s unending tradition of doing the most, numerous viewers have reportedly expressed a deep attraction to the man who wears the heavy, wool Chewbacca costume in Star Wars: The Force Awakens. After all, the movie didn’t even open in China until earlier today.
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Fans of Star Wars: The Force Awakens were no doubt shocked by the film’s big twist – but should they have seen it coming?
Disney and Lucasfilm’s Star Wars: The Force Awakens made a stellar landing in the Middle Kingdom on Saturday, grossing an estimated $33 million to score the biggest Saturday opening of all time for any film, according to preliminary results released by Disney.
“Disney’s strategy for “The Force Awakens” in China champions the long game”, said Shawn Robbins, senior analyst at BoxOffice.com.
While promoting the Stephen King John F. Kennedy time travel series, 11.22.63, J.J. Abrams told EW.com deleted scenes will be part of The Force Awakens DVD, but not an extended edition.
The “Star Wars” film saga that began in 1977 had not been a cultural phenomenon in China like it was in other countries. “I think young people in China are curious to discover what Star Wars is about, but I’m not sure the older generation would be so keen”, said Andi Cheung, a 26-year-old graphic designer who had a ticket for a midnight showing. Avatar’s $760.5 million and Titanic’s $652.7 million are examples of entirely different box office behavior, where old-fashioned legs to them to the top after a sustained effort.
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The Bottom Line Given the lack of exposure to the movie’s main characters, “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” may not turn out to be a massive hit in China. “I want to encounter diverse experiences and challenge myself until I find out what my limit is”, said Luhan (via Allkpop). It remains to be seen if the efforts will be enough to break Avatar’s 2.8 billion dollar worldwide record, but this revival of the Star Wars franchise is just the beginning for Disney.
